Study of steel matrix composite samples with 12%Wt TiB2 produced by spark plasma sintering

Composites consisting of a steel matrix reinforced with diluted ceramics have been investigated as a way to reduce weight and increase wear resistance. This paper describes a composite made with TiB2 ceramic powder and a microalloyed steel turned into powder by the top-down technique. The dispersion method of 12% weight percentage of TiB2 particles in the steel powder was performed by cryomilling techniques. With this powder, bulk TiB2 steel/ceramic samples were produced using the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process. The produced steel matrix composite samples with 12%wt TiB2 were characterized and showed a low level of porosity. The multiphysics fields associated with the SPS process activated the recovery mechanisms that formed a nanostructure in the ferritic matrix. The dispersion of TiB2 particles in microalloyed caused a reduction in abrasive wear of 36.8% as compared with low alloy steel used. This reduction was accompanied by a 5% reduction in density.